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Marc Wilmots arrives in Albufeira: Meet the team, gather a first impression and get started
It’s been a busy few days for Marc Wilmots. The new sporting director immediately set about his work after signing a contract. On Friday (05/01), the Belgian arrived at Schalke 04’s training camp in Albufeira together with new CEO Matthias Tillmann in order to greet the players, coaches and staff and introduce himself.
“I want to get to know every single person as quickly as possible and gather a first impression,” said Wilmots, who as sporting director has complete responsibility for the sporting aspects at the club, including squad planning, the coaching set-up and backroom staff.
The 54-year-old will work closely with André Hechelmann, who has taken on the newly-formed position of technical director. This includes topics such as digitalisation and football-specific data analysis. The technical director is also fully involved in squad planning and is responsible for making transfers. Hechelmann is in charge of scouting and monitoring loan players, and is the key link to the Knappenschmiede, meaning the role is focused on strengthening the squad from the inside and out.
Collaboration with André Hechelmann
Over the past days, Wilmots and Hechelmann have thoroughly discussed the situation at Schalke, the current squad and their tasks in this new set-up. “The first conversations with André lasted for over four hours,” revealed the new sporting director. Those talks involved Hechelmann explaining how the squad was put together ahead of the season and what ideas were involved. Wilmots stressed that the results of that planning cannot be evaluated after just six months, but only at the end of the season.
We need the best in every department. A club can only be successful if every member of staff is excellent in their area of expertise.
“It’s about building something step by step,” said Wilmots. “That requires every individual giving their best in their own field. We need quality employees, and that applies to André. I know what he is capable of, but also what somebody else is better at. We need the best in every department. A club can only be successful if every member of staff is excellent in their area of expertise. It’s always about making the right decisions for FC Schalke 04.”
Matthias Tillmann: Wilmots and Hechelmann will complement each other well
It’s an opinion shared by Matthias Tillmann, who is in close communication with Wilmots and Hechelmann. “Both of them will complement each other well,” said the new CEO, adding: “They have different qualities and have different characters. Marc and André will benefit from one another, and that will benefit the entire club.”
Marc and André will benefit from one another, and that will benefit the entire club.
Karel Geraerts also plays an important role as head coach, and Wilmots’ first impression of the main man on the touchline is a positive one. “I didn’t know Karel personally before now as he is a number of years younger than me and we never played against or alongside each other,” explained the 1997 UEFA Cup winner. “However, I have kept a close eye on his intriguing coaching career. He almost won the Belgian league title last season with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and did a fantastic job. I’m very much looking forward to working with Karel.”
